Chateau

Charming resort in Umbria

Chateau

Charming resort in Umbria

Chateau

Charming resort in Umbria

It is an architectural complex, halfway up the Monte Petriolo hill, along the road that leads from Perugia to Città della Pieve. It was born from the transformation of what in the origins was a fortress, which has existed since the twelft century and it actually seems to be controlling the river Nestor valley, as a middle age fort...
At the time of the original configuration of military equipment, was inhabited by about 500 people and in 1390 it was occupied by the Raspanti, a noble and powerful family of Perugia, until 1501 when it passed under the control of Porta Eburnea.
It was also a fief of Baptist Vermiglioli, an important archaeologist and historian of the18th century, and at the end of the '700 became part of the canton of Lake Trasimeno, having Spoleto as capital. In the second half of the nineteenth century Count Bernardino Rossi, who married Angelica Scotti of Perugia inherited the estate, adding his name to the one of his wife in exchange.
In the dynastic succession, the village came later inherited by Lemmo Rossi Scotti, Count of Monte Petriolo and famous painter of the time, to whom is due the transformation into a noble house.
The complex, in the last century, belonged to Tiberius (Bero) Rossi Scotti, leader of the aristocracy in Perugia, a major landowner in the production of tobacco and authority in the management of fairs and agricultural markets.

The original nucleus, that forms a 'U' around a courtyard, at various times was surrounded by multiple buildings that overlapped with the original medieval plant ,so resulting in an inhomogeneous and composite complex that shows an evident fortress configuration (pretty strange for a noble residence of the late 18th century) of neo-Gothic style inspiration (battlements of the buildings and the landscape setting of the park) and at the same time has got structures witnessing the agricultural interests conducted by the Count.

The complex of approximately 20 hectares in size (about 50 acres) is surrounded by more than 600 olive trees and by a large park, planted in the 18th century, that includes also several secular oak trees. This park covers the whole hill side and is watched over by an imposing tower that seems like a castle fort. Among the witnesses of the past you can still discover what remains of the so called imbarcadero (pier) that would lead the Countess little boat to the small lake' s tiny island where she would have her time of privacy and relaxation. Or again you can guess what was the splendour of the time while dining at the Limonaia restaurant which is the result of the union of the ballroom (previously) and the shed of the lemon trees (afterwards).

After the death of the Count Tiberius and the transfer of his wife in Perugia, the complex was bought by two different proprietors but still was left in total dereliction and extreme degradation for at least twenty years.
Therefore the actual owner chose to face a renovation of the whole complex that involved the entire structures, employing the highest technologies so as to achieve excellent levels of comfort and safety that usually very old buildings cannot offer. Moreover the whole property became a sort of natural reserve, because the wild animals that had made of the old ruins their own house simply moved into the huge park. As the local hunters would keep on shooting even at very short distances from the Villa's walls, (like it had always been till then), it was decided to enclose the estate and fence the entire perimeter of the property. Anyhow a great effort was made to preserve any original piece or feature which could still satisfy the need of originary design, comfort, safety and ease of living the Resort.
From the facades to the roofs, from the basements to the turrets, from historic masonry to monumental towers, from the marble coats of arms to the balustrades, there was no segment that has not been assessed and considered if worth to be enhanced or be replaced.
As to the functional implementation, the technological aspects was aimed at energy savings and ecological protection, including the disposal facilities and air conditioning for the single rooms and compartments. That aspect allows the Resort to be suitable either for big company meetings or for private events, or else for intimate and relaxing stay for couples or families. The presence of a small and gracious church of late baroque age, among the buildings that surround the Villa, make it a possible location for small private religious ceremonies such as weddings.
Last but not least, the furnishings that combine a modern style to a more ancient and magical frame and that in this game of contrasts backdrop experiences of the nowadays life such as access to modern communication technologies, first of all use of network wirelessly.